It was the visitors who drew first blood on five minutes, when Kruse's low free-kick was poked home by Milot Rashica beyond the helpless Eric Oelschlagel.

Dortmund, four time winners of the German Cup, sought an immediate reaction through Mario Gotze, but his clever flick fell inches wide of the upright, before Raphael Guerreiro failed to get on the end of ​Marco Reus' tantalising low cross.

Despite having 68% possession in the first period, the hosts found a dogged Bremen defence, who threatened to double their lead through goal-scorer Rashica. However, the Black and Yellows levelled on the stroke of half time as Reus curled a delicious free-kick past Pavlenka to go in all square.

​Dortmund beat their opponents 2-1 in the league meeting back in ​December, but had their keeper to thank as he tipped over another Kruse free-kick, before Thomas Delaney came agonisingly close moments later from a header, as neither side could prevent extra time.

Four goals in an extraordinary final period would see Dortmund lead twice through Christian Pulisic and Achraf Hakimi, only for Claudio Pizarro and Martin Harnik to peg back the hosts, leaving penalties to decide this topsy-turvy affair.

After Alcacer and Philipp spurned their spot-kicks, Kruse stepped up to fire Bremen into the fourth round at the expense of their shell-shocked counterparts.

BORUSSIA DORTMUND

Key Talking Point

Despite Dortmund sitting seven points clear of ​Bayern Munich in the race for the Bundesliga title, Lucien Favre named a strong lineup as they attempted to bounce back from their league stalemate at Eintracht Frankfurt.

The decision to start a number of key players including Reus, Gotze and Pulisic looked to have paid off, but his side were ultimately beaten.

Standing over the ball, the outcome was almost inevitable, such is the German's blistering form this campaign as he continues to resurrect his injury-stricken career. The goal was his 16th in all competitions and third in the DFB Cup. That said, Pulisic ran him close with a splendid second goal.

WORST PLAYER

Whilst his fellow compatriot Hakimi flourished on the right hand side, left-back Abdou Diallo struggled to have the same impact.

I love Diallo as a player, been terrific in central defense, and he's solid as a defensive-minded left back. But with Diallo and the slow-footed Guerreiro on the same side, Dortmund has zero penetration on the left wing. (Hakimi looks worse at RB as well.) #bvbsvw